The South African women’s golf team, led by Ekurhuleni’s Caitlyn Macnab, recently wrapped up their 2022 World Amateur Team Championship campaign with a top-20 finish in France.
Macnab, along with teammates Kajal Mistry and Bobbi Brown, finished in 15th position in the 29th Espirito Santo Trophy, matching the result Macnab, Mistry and Kaleigh Telfer achieved for South Africa in the 2018 edition in Ireland.
Sweden won the women’s team competition for the third time on a tiebreaker over the hard-charging USA at Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche.
The two countries tied on 13-under 559, but after comparing non-counting scores, a one-over-par 73 from Sweden’s Louise Rydqvist was one stroke better than Rachel Kuehn’s 74, giving Sweden the gold medal and the USA the silver. Germany and Japan shared third on 560.
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The South African team made an encouraging start in this year’s championship and commendably remained in the top draw throughout their tournament at the Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche’s Red Course.
Arkansas University’s Mistry (70-71-73-76) and Ekurhuleni youngster who now studies at Texas Christian University, Macnab (71-74-73-72) was tied for 28th. Their combined scores of 141, 145, 146 and 148 secured 15th for South Africa on eight-over-par 580.
In the previous WATC, Jovan Rebula was forced to withdraw on the eve of the championship due to a back injury, and ironically this year, the women’s team had to call in a reserve.
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Kiera Floyd, originally selected for the GolfRSA Protea women’s team, was unable to make the trip to France on medical advice, and Megan Streicher, the first reserve, could not get a Schengen Visa in time. Second reserve Bobbi Brown had to step into the breach.
“My swing was not at 100%, so it was very frustrating not to go to France with my A-game, but I am very grateful for the opportunity to compete at the highest level,” said the former Nomads SA Girls champion, who posted rounds of 88, 81, 76 and 83.
“I will draw on this incredible experience for years to come. I am also grateful to my teammates Caitlyn and Kajal for their support and for taking me under their wing, and for the support, I received from our captain Val Holland and Women’s Golf South Africa President Sarah Braude.
“The 2022 WATC was a tough test for many of the countries, including the South African contenders, but our players fought through the frustrations on the greens and the disappointment of choices that led to big numbers on some days,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.
